by possible-san 3 Replies latest watchtower bible
April 11-17
The Watchtower, February 15, 2011, STUDY ARTICLE 2
"Gaining God’s Approval Leads to Everlasting Life" (pages 13-17)
http://www.jw.org/index.html?option=QrYQCsVrGZNT
MP3 is here.
http://download.jw.org/files/media_magazines/w_E_20110215_06.mp3
Any comments welcome.
I think that if you want to defend Jehovah's Witnesses, you should do so.
Or, if you want to criticize Jehovah's Witnesses, you can do so.
possible
"Gaining God's Approval"
Works based Salvation is the whole thrust of the WT. It is unbiblical to suggest that the ransom is applied to those who gain God's approval. Instead, the Bible teaches that the atonement itself results in God's approval to those whom it is applied:
“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation .... He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:18–21)
The believer abandons himself and exchanges his life for Christ, in whom God is "well pleased". Our works are worthless for salvation. They may make it sure .... but works are utterly worthless for avoiding judgment.
But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; - Isaiah
God doesn't say that our sins are like filthy rags, he says our righteousnesses are.
Works are useless in "gaining God's approval".
I read this article, hearing the "MP3."
As for my impressions with regard to this article, that I am thoroughly disgusted and do not want to comment so much.
In this article, the word "approval" (gaining God's approval) seems to be a "keyword."
Also from the NWT, they persistently quote the Scripture in which the word "approval" is used.
However, if you continue having a way of thinking like that WTS, you would become a worry soon, saying "I may not have gained God's approval", and you will begin to be taken advantage of by the WT$/GB .
In brief, the WTS's wrong is this, that it is their/GB's teaching/threat that "if you do not do so, you would lose God's love and approval." I feel that this is a "morbid teaching" (morbid religion) very much.
In this article, the "Psalm 5:12" quoted as the theme text is translated like this in other Bible.
(Ps 5:12, NWT)
"For you yourself will bless anyone righteous, O Jehovah; As with a large shield, with approval you will surround them"
(Ps 5:12, NLT)
"For you bless the godly, O LORD, surrounding them with your shield of love."
(Ps 5:12, TLB)
For you bless the godly man, O Lord; you protect him with your shield of love.
(Ps 5:12, GNT, TEV)
You bless those who obey you, Lord; your love protects them like a shield.
In this Scripture (Ps 5:12), I wonder that the view that we have to do something in order that we gain "God's approval" is not included, IMO. I think that they/GB are fundamentally incorrect/wrong.
possible
Good comment here! It sounds like they repeat the same thing over and over again... God's Approval God's Approval... No wonder I fell asleep sometimes at the meets! ha I would yes yes I know I know you said this last week! haha
